A new plaque has been installed to celebrate the work of a previous Salisbury Council employee

The plaque was installed last Wednesday (29th September 2021) next to a copper beech tree in Churchill Gardens.

It recognises the work of Laverstock resident Gordon Anderson, who worked for the then Salisbury Council from 1958 to 1986.

His sister-in-law Kathy wanted to celebrate the contribution Gordon made to the city during those years – particularly in the many trees he and his colleagues planted. Now mature trees, Gordon remembers planting dozens in Churchill Gardens (once the city’s sewage works), the grounds of the Crematorium before today’s building even existed, and Queen Elizabeth Gardens.

Salisbury City Council officers were delighted to meet Gordon and hear his memories of our City’s parks and open spaces. In those times, the Council employed around 60 workers in the Grounds and Gardening Team and Gordon recalls that there were at least six people whose work was solely in the nurseries growing bedding plants in particular.

There were greenhouses conveniently located in The Friary and Queen Elizabeth Gardens, before they moved to Cow Lane.

The Mayor of Salisbury, Cllr Caroline Corbin said, “It is wonderful that a plaque has been installed to celebrate Gordon’s fantastic work during his time at Salisbury Council. Residents and visitors now enjoy the result of his and his colleagues’ hard work in the parks and open spaces and will continue to do so for many years to come.”